4 motorcyclists die in crashes across NH at start of bike week

CONCORD, N.H. — State police say four motorcyclists were killed in collisions with other vehicles on Friday, a grim beginning to the final weekend of the 89th annual Laconia Motorcycle Week.

The cyclists were killed in a series of accidents spanning four hours in Nashua, Nelson, Laconia and Dummer.

In Nelson, a car driven by James Rivadeneira of Salem crossed the center line on Route 9, colliding with a motorcycle driven by David Davis of Wyantskill, N.Y. Davis’ motorcycle then hit a second motorcycle driven by Carl Davino of Stuyvesant, N.Y. All three were taken to a hospital. Davis died of his injuries while Rivadeneira and Davino were treated for injuries that were not life threatening.

In Laconia, a motorcycle driven by 38-year-old Jamie Bezanson of Concord crossed the center line of a road and hit a pickup truck driven by 47-year-old Craig Harrison of Manchester. Bezanson was pronounced dead at the scene. Harrison was treated for minor injuries at a hospital.

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In Dummer, a car driven by 25-year-old Ashley Bailey of Jay, Maine, crossed the center line of Route 16, striking a motorcycle driven by 60-year-old Thomas Zappulla of Torrington, Conn. Zappulla was thrown from the bike and pronounced dead at the scene. Bailey was taken to a hospital, where she was being treated for serious injuries. One of three passengers in the car was treated for minor injuries.

And in Nashua, a motorcycle driven by 24-year-old Michael Loverme of Merrimack was on an exit ramp on the Everett Turnpike when it traveled across the median and back into the travel lanes, where it was hit by the other vehicles. Loverme was pronounced dead at a hospital. The crash caused major traffic jams at the height of the afternoon rush hour.

More than 300,000 bikers were expected at motorcycle week, which is based on Lake Winnipesaukee in Laconia and is billed as the nation’s oldest motorcycle rally. Events are also held elsewhere in the state, allowing motorcyclists to take part in scenic drives throughout New Hampshire. The festival pumps an estimated $200 million into the state’s economy.